My religion is kindness. The Dali Lama. Come join me and your fellow congregants in the moment at CBI! See you soon! Anne

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1 Chai-Lites June 2017 Issue 11 In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime. But all these times and places and occasions are now and here. God himself culminates in the present moment, and will never be more divine in the lapse of all the ages. - Thoreau Walden Henry David Thoreau spent two years at Walden Pond in a personal experiment in mindfulness. He put his life on hold in order to revel in the wonder and simplicity of the present moment. But fortunately for us we don t have to go out of our way to find someplace special to find mindfulness and revel in the present moment. We have Shabbat at Congregation B nai Israel. Whether you are someone who likes to let the music wash over you, or gain a more meditative state by singing along to tunes you have known a lifetime the service can step you out of the hectic and into the moment. Or perhaps it is just the deliciousness of having an hour or two when what you are doing, being there with your friends/family/fellow congregants, is just what you should be doing without the feeing that you should be multi-tasking. And we sit at the change of a season. In June we have many Bar & Bat Mitzvahs to share with our congregational family. These services always have an extra level of joy and energy! We are invited to smile, laugh, and sometimes tear up with these families as they mark a significant moment in their lives and within the life of our congregation they want you to share it with them! Then we move into July and August when the services become more casual more of a summer camp vibe in our courtyard discussions a throw back to when summer felt so different than the school year. It provides us a different opportunity to be in the moment, and not allow the summer to fly by without savoring any of it. Watch for our summer service schedule which will be coming out shortly! And all summer we will have the opportunity to step out of ourselves and support our important Lunch Food Drive (see info later in the newsletter), to help families who struggle when school year meal programs are not available. My religion is kindness. The Dali Lama Come join me and your fellow congregants in the moment at CBI! See you soon! Anne PS: Don t forget to attend the Annual Meeting June 13 7:00 pm when we will discuss a vital component of the future of CBI!

2 June 13th at 7:00pm Annual Congregant Meeting June 24th at CBI Rabbi John s Birthday Bash PLEASE HELP THE FAMILIES OF SOMERSET COUNTY WHO NEED LUNCH SUPPLIES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER The Food Bank Network of Somerset County gets TWICE as many requests for lunch supplies during the summer from families who rely on the Free Lunch program when school is in session. CBI wants to help meet the needs of these families. STARTING SATURDAY, MAY 13th - AUGUST 31st PLEASE DROP THE FOODS IN THE CBI OFFICE: (For complete list of requested foods please the office for more details) No time to shop? Supermarket gift cards are appreciated (bring to CBI Office) Donations to Food Bank Network of Somerset County are appreciated.

3 Dear Friends and Family of Rabbi John, We hope you can make it! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Sara in the main office at There will also be a special Birthday Book created for the Rabbi Don t and presented miss to him that this!!! night. Please add your wishes! There was a link in Tuesday Tidbits. (Pricing information shown in form)

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5 Our next Make-A-Meal : Dates to come... Debbie and Marcy Refugee Action Committee Next meeting Sunday, June 9:15am at Jane Simon s house If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Jane Simon janesimon1964@comcast.net or Mike Berg Michael.Berg@verizonwireless.com May Cooking Club event: Summer salads Favorite salads and recipes (date and venue tbd) PLANNING AN EVENT? Keep CBI s Catering Facility in Mind! If you are planning a special occasion, consider using our spacious and elegant hall for your next simcha. When celebrated in the sanctity of the Temple, weddings, B nai Mitzvah, Brit, Baby Namings and other life cycle events take on a more spiritual significance. We have a marvelous panel of caterers from which to choose. Contact the CBI Office: , x104 or office@cbibr.org

6 The Boomers are going back to Broadway! Website: Please join us on Sunday, September 10, when we see GROUNDHOG DAY, the winner of the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical, Best Actor, Andy Karl. The critics are raving! It s a classic boy meets girl, boy meets girl, boy meets girl story! Meet Phil Connors, a disgruntled big-city weatherman mysteriously stuck in small-town America reliving the same day over and over and over again-with no consequences, no regrets, no tomorrows, and no hangovers. But once he starts getting to know associate TV producer Rita Hanson, he discovers it s a day of second, third and fourth chances. Based on the iconic film, GROUNDHOG DAY The Musical is reimagined bythe award-winning creators of the international hit Matilda The Musical-including director Matthew Warchus and songwriter Tim Minchin-with a book by original screenwriter Danny Rubin.Starring two-time Tony Award nominee Andy Karl, GROUNDHOG DAY is the new musical comedy about living life to the fullest, one day at a time. AUGUST WILSON THEATRE 245 West 52th Street New York, NY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 3 PM $120 per person Orchestra TICKETS ARE LIMITED! Please RSVP by May 15 and mail your check payable to: CONGREGATION B NAI ISRAEL 40 Whitenack Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

7 The Boomers invite you to... WE'RE GOING, ARE YOU? Rabbi's 60th Birthday Celebration & Fundraiser $75 per person CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL SATURDAY, JUNE 24 7:30 PM Please RSVP by June 4 SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY NIGHT JULY 22 details to come...

8 Religious School Calendar Register now for Fall of 17 Enjoy your Summer See you in September!

9 Shabbat Services Friday evenings - 7:30pm June 2nd Oneg sponsored by the Bnei Mitzvah Dobkin & Goldstein Families in Honor of Aaron & Max s Bar Mitzvah June 9th Oneg sponsored by the Verbel Family in honor of Jenna s Bat Mitzvah June 16th Oneg sponsored by the Chouequet Family in honor of Isabella and Daniel s Bnai Mitzvot Saturday mornings - 9:30am June 3rd Kiddush sponsored by the Dobkin Family in honor of Aaron s Bar mitzvah June 10th Kiddush sponsored by the Verbel Family in honor of Jenna s Bat Mitzvah Would you like to sponsor an Oneg or Kiddush, and support CBI? It can be in honor of a special occasion, such as a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, a milestone, or just because. Please contact the office at office@cbibr.org Need a BABYSITTER or a Mother s Helper? Get out and have fun with the help from one of our own members! Please consider this list of Rachel Breslau available CBI teenagers Erica Isaacs whose contact information is listed in the directory Alex Kelly Cameron Lipton Meghan Miller Alex Simon Lily Simon Sam Foster If you have a teen you d like to be included in this directory, please contact office@cbibr.org Eli Foster Maya Zucker Lauren Wasserman Basking Ridge Bedminster Mendham Warren Bernardsville Gladstone Gladstone Chester/Mendham Chester/Mendham Basking Ridge Greenbrook

10 CONGRATULATIONS to the new officers... Maya Zucker - N Siah Julia Waldman - S Ganit Jack Clarkin - Moreh Sydnee Schapiro - Morah Sadie Nochimson - Mazkirah Tessa Unke - Gizborit Sophie Loesberg - Sh licha Dana Wasserman - Mekasheret Max Scherzer - Achim Aliza Lev - Achot Look for more activities coming soon! For more information, me at haleylevine19@gmail.com or Maya Zucker at chaverimbbyo5317@gmail.com. Parents can contact our advisor, Janice Zucker at jalderz@optonline.net or Follow us on Like Rabbi John Schechter on Facebook

11 Tributes Tributes $18 Tree Certificates $18 per tree Siddur or Mahzor $54 Dedicate a volume of the Schottenstein edition of the Talmud $100 To... congratulate someone on a B nai Mitzvah honor a Graduate say I m sorry for your loss or remember a loved one tell someone you re thinking of them thank someone for their kindness wish Mazel Tov on a wonderful occasion or achievement A card will be sent to the recipient and listed here. To order, contact Sara in the office at x104 or cbibr.org or 40 Whitenack Road, Basking Ridge, NJ June 2017 Donations have been made to the synagogue for the following occasions: Shari Lapa and Family In memory of your beloved father, Ross Glasser From, Marjorie Davidson & Walter Levy The Samuels Family In recognition of Michael s graduation from The University of Florida. Mazel Tov! Love, The Braunsteins: Nancy, David, Andrew and Seth Carole Braunstein In memory of your beloved brother, Don With love, Elayne Braunstein A Yahrzeit Donation (On the Memoriam Anniversary of a loved one) In memory of Caroline Klein From, Mildred & Milton Klein In memory of Sylvia Rabinowitz, mother of Murray Robbins From, Elna & Murray Robbins In memory of Pearl Hilton Okin, Elna s mother-in-law From, Elna & Murray Robbins A Tree has been planted in Israel Shari Lapa and Family In memory of your beloved father, Ross Glasser With love, Lisa, Michael, Harris and Marc Gartenberg A Ring of Trees have been planted in Israel Tara Carmody In memory of your mother, Rosanne Sheila Bergman From, Michael Braunstein, Hal Goldman and Paul Arnold Associates Fran Perlman In memory of your beloved daughter, Brianne From, Nancy Braunstein, Denise Kennedy and Mary- Lou Psak Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Rabbi John Schechter With our heartfelt thanks for your support of our (Lapa)family. From, Charlotte Greenberg Rabbi John Schechter In tribute for officiating at Ross Glassers funeral From, The Lapa Family Cantor s Discretionary Fund A special thank you to Hazzan Brian Kalver for your spiritual leadership, and thoughtful kindness at a time when it was greatly appreciated. Your voice bought comfort to all of us. From, Shari, Paul and Sue Lapa

12 Yahrzeits khah Their Memor May 28 - July 1 Yahrzeits Zichronam Livrakhah Their Memories are a Blessing July 2015 We Pass The Mourning of... Felix Wolnowitz father of Caryn Komensky Manya Kramer grandmother of Steven Joachim Helen K. Nassar mother of Hilary Kelly Irvin Darivoff father of Diane Newman Harriet Fisher Shapiro mother of Mark Shapiro Jean Levy grandmother of Howard Stolzer Lawrence Rappaport brother-in-law of Susan Rappaport Louis Solkoff father of Marcia Eskin Abraham Small father of Harold Small Bessie Orshan mother of Scott Orshan Barbara Goldstein mother of Jill Dolgin Louis Hershbein father of Arlene Kesselhaut Gerald Lewis Harrison father of Craig Harrison Olga Grabova grandmother of Sophia DiCalogero Irene Dolgin mother of David Dolgin Frieda Nedell grandmother of William Marks Donald Braverman father of Michael Braverman Mark Geller brother of Jay Geller Maxim Doctofsky father of Nancy Okun Amy Rotberg sister of Jane Simon Harold Mandel grandfather of David Mandel Murray Pardo father of Owen Pardo Isidor C. Kiell father of Paul Kiell Jonah Kleinstein father of Jonathan Kleinstein Leo Goldenberg father of David Goldenberg Samuel Klein father of Milton Klein George Marcus grandfather of Keith Harmon Morton Cooper father of Lisa Mayle

13 COMMITTEE DIRECTORY *New committees still forming! Boomers and Beyond Pam Ball Diane Newman Budget and Finance Steve Joachim Building Gale Braunstein Caring Pam Ball Chai-Lites This newsletter is published by CONGREGATION B NAI ISRAEL 40 Whitenack Road, Basking Ridge, NJ phone (908) Fax (908) office@cbibr.org Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm Wednesday 9am-6pm (during Religious School) Friday 9am-2pm Submit your articles and advertising requests to the attention of Sara or Heather at office@cbibr.org DEADLINE is the 15th of the month Kippot and Tallit Sales Michelle Ganes Membership Nancy Cook Ellen Marks Memorial Wall Dorit Kransdorf Religious School Nancy Braunstein Nancy Novack Sisterhood Lydia Muller Marla Sommer Men s Club Michael Berg Social Action Shari Lapa Refugee Action Committee Jane Simon Michael Berg Holiday Committee Dorit Kransdorf Hilary Kelly Technology & Operations Craig Lipset Howard Stolzer Rabbi John S. Schechter (908) x105 rabbischechter@aol.com Cantor Brian Kalver (908) x106 President Anne Nemetz respondez2015@gmail.com Religious School Director Glenn Wechsler (908) Executive Committee President Anne Nemetz First Vice President Robert F. Simon Vice Presidents Ellen Marks Nancy Cook Treasurer David Braunstein Secretary Howard Stolzer Assistant Secretary Gale Braunstein Office Administrator Sara (908) x104 office@cbibr.org Bookkeeper Caron Katz (908) x103 myaccount@cbibr.org Religious School Administrative Assistant Andrea Dubovy (908) x124 religschool@cbibr.org Building Management Gale Braunstein (908) gale@taylormgt.com Trustees-at-Large Michael Berg Gayle Braunstein Steve Joachim Craig Lipset Hilary Kelly Dorit Kransdorf Shari Lapa Lydia Muller Heather Silver Immediate Past President Fred Okun

14 Support our fellow congregants and local businesses who advertise with us! Jewish Hospice Care 4949 Veronica Ave.Ave. Veronica 49 Veronica Suite 206 Ave. -Suite 206 Suite 206 Somerset, NJ *Excellent Nurse to Patient Ratio *Home Health Aide Support for Family *Bereavement Support Monthly Meeting *Complimentary Chicken Soup plus Harp and Massage Therapies Somerset, NJ Somerset, SteinHospiceNJ.org SteinHospiceNJ.org SteinHospiceNJ.org Accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice Accredited by The National Institute Accredited by the National Institute forjewish Jewish Hospice for Hospice Amy Kamenir, MA, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor Specialist in working with: Anxiety/Depression Grief/Loss/Bereavement Coping with Acute/Chronic Illness Parenting Skills/Issues Family Relationships Relationship Counseling School Difficulties Coping Skills Self Esteem 510 Mt. Airy Road Basking Ridge, NJ (973)

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